Machine and method for package closure



July 2, 94U., R M BERGSTIN 2,206,761

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSUFE Filed Oct. 17, 1958 6Sheets-Sheet l N Kaw A W A I* w mumLwl l N ln 57 56 54 ,zszzaa 64 68 55lge 6.9 6435 A TTORNEYAS.

July Z, 1940. R. M. BERGsTl-:IN

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE Filed oct. 17, 195s 6Sheets-Sheet 2 N. w m. m w e m N F. T. 15 A w q f. Mw W N D OQNI a. m w.M MN w mw mi wm., @WJ www \U QW v4 E.. IMJ, m un w D 1 .G (Il I O O imy o nmvsm. uw .0% mw. `Q l3nt/m.. `m QN Ila! c I 0 Il' u m mm. oo TNNNw Wm o 0mm o .wm u. oo .WQ d u l v QN mv o v NR N w xm@ m. l A fly www n.ww m 7 x\ \NL Amm mtv u July 2, 1940.

` R. M. BERGSTEIN MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE Filed Oct. 17,1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 MQW ATTORNEYIS Bab'. BY

`Iuly 2, 1940. Rl Ml BERGSTElN 2,206,761

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSURE Filedoct. 17, 193s 6 Sheets-Sheet4 IN VENTOR. s

@MQW

ATTORNEYS.

July 2, 1940. R. M.' BERGsTElN `MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGE CLOSUREFileaoot. 17, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VENTOR. /faaf'fr Mfg/@ls.Bies-sra.

M QL M ATTORNEYS.

July 2, 1940- R. M. BERGsTr-:IN 2,206,761

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR 'PACKAGE CLOSUR Filed oct. 17. 1938 6 Sheetssheet6 INVENTOR Raaf/3 r foff/s fasrE/N.

BY MQW ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOS URE

Robert Morris Bergstein, Cincinnati, Ohio Application, October 17,

:n is claims.

p Inmy. United States Patentdvo. 2,095,910,is, sued october 12,v 1937,anche.' 2,114,621, issued April 19', 1938, I have disclosed machines andmethods for making knock-down containers comprising an outer carton withinner liner secured, therein, which liner may be open at both ends, orclosed at one end, as desired. Itis desirable in many instances to havethe outer carton made of board `that has been treated to b e waterproof,as for example by paraffin or the like, and in such cases it is diicult,if not impossible, to satisfactorily seal with adhesive the carton ilapsto eiect the final carton closure, due to the impermeable nature of thesurface. Accordingly in -many cases the carton flaps have been securedin closing position by locking rather than sealing, the locking usuallytaking the form of a slot in one flap and a corresponding tongue in theother opposite flap, which are engaged in interlocking position. Thislocking has customarily been done by hand, and I have discovered meansand method for carrying out this locking operation efliciently bymachine, and this is one of the objects of my invention.

In my United States Patents Nos. 2,114,622, 2,114,623 and 2,114,624, Idisclosed means and method for sealing the mouths of liners withincartons. By my invention as herein disclosed, I now accomplish thesealing of the liner, and the interlocking of the carton flaps, as partof a series of continuous operations, providing for the complete closureof the package, efficiently and without hand manipulation.

By my invention, a single machine may also be provided which provides aclosure for both ends of the package, that is which receives a containercomprising an outer carton having locking flaps, and an inner linersecured therein, with both ends of said liner open, which accomplishesthe operation of sealing an end of the liner, in- 40 terlocking the apsthereabout (when the container may then be inverted and filled with thecontents), thereafter the same machine will con- Vey the filledcontainer closing Ithe remaining open end of the liner, and iinallylocking the 45 flaps about the nal closed liner end. Among otherfeatures in connection with this machine I disclose means whereby aseries of cages may be used to retain the containers during their courseof travel, said cages having cut-away portions, and a stationaryguide-bar, whereby the samev cages may be used to convey both the emptyor filled container, compensating for the difference in height, which isa still further object of my invention.

1938, Serial No. 235,315

, These and' other "objects 'of my, invention will become' apparent asthe description proceeds.

Reference is now made to the drawings where- Figure 1 is a sideelevation of my machine, hav- 5 .ing parts broken away and certain partsin section, with various supporting elementsjfor the several guide barsomitted, so as to'permit a clear `illustration of the points involved inmy invention.' 10

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism seen in Fig. 1, having aportion thereof broken away.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is aperspective showing one of th cages and associated members I employ tocarry the cartons through my machine.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating a latch forretaining the front end flap of 2G the carton in a downward positionduring certain operations and 'means for releasing the latch whendesired.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the latch member.

Fig. 7 is a section taken along line 1-1 of 25 Fig. 2, showing means forspreading` the carton mouth and showing the heat sealing members in openposition. A

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front elevation of the spreading means seen inFig. 7, showing in broken 30 lines the extended position of the fingerswithin the carton mouth.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 2,illustrating means for actuating the sealing members.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the sealing members inclosed position.

Fig. 11 is a perspective showing certain guide bars whichserve to turndown the sealed mouth of the carton liner. 40

Fig, 12 is a perspective showing a preferred arrangement of members forclosing and interlocking the tongued and slotted side flaps of thecarton. v

Fig. 13 is a section taken along the line |3-l3 45 of Fig. 2' showing anejector and means for operating same in timed relation to the conveyormovement.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a scheme for remotefilling of the cartons.

Fig. 15 is a perspective showing a modied carton closure and analternative means for interlocking same.

Fig. 16 is a perspective of a carton in knockdown condition, and

Fig. 17 is a perspective of the carton squared. up in preparation forloading the machine.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a suitable frame I supports a table-likesurface 2, having formed therein a conveyor track 3. The conveyor chain4 is driven by a right hand sprocket 5 fixed to a shaft 6, and runs overa sprocket 1 which is fixed to a shaft 8. Thus any movement of the shaft6 results in similar movement of shaft 8.

Referring to Fig. 3 the conveyor chain is driven intermittently byactionof a fou-r-stop Geneva mechanism, the driven wheel 9 of which is fixedto the shaft 6. The driving pin I0 and locking member II of the Genevamechanism are here xed to a large gear I2, said gear being in turndriven by a motor I3 through a belt I4, a pulley I5, a shaft I6 and aworm I1. 'Ihe intermittent mechanism is enclosed in a suitable casing'I8having journaled bearings as required. Fixed to the large gear I2 is avertical shaft I9 which extends upward through the table-like surface 2,

and is provided at its upper end with a miter m gear 20, meshing with alike gear 2|, xed on the longitudinal shaft 22. The shaft 22 isjournaled in bearing brackets 23 and 24 and has aiixed various cams andgears, the purpose of which will be later explained. From the foregoingit will be apparent that the shaft 22 is driven in timed relation withthe conveyor movement and that for each movement of the conveyor theshaft 22 will make one complete revolution.

The conveyor chain is provided with a series of equally spaced plates25, which, referring to Fig. 4, are vprovided with a pair of upstandingmembers 26, 26. The members 26 are held to the conveyor plates by screws26a passing through slots 2Gb which permit re-setting of the members 26to accommodate various widths of cartons. Ihe members 26 have cut-outportions 26e, the purpose of which will be later explained.

Referring to Fig. 16, I have shown in knockdown condition one type ofcarton for which my machine is particularly adapted. The carton body 21here shown may be formed of any desired paper board or cardboardmaterial.

is the ability of my mechanism to form an effective closure in a carton,the outer body material of which has been impregnated with paran or thelike, rendering satisfactory sealing of the end flaps dicult by use ofadhesive or the like, as in present practice. The carton here shown hasan inner heat sealable liner 28 secured to the inner/side Walls, thisliner, for p-urpose of sealing, being of sufficient length to extendbeyond the carton walls. Articulated by score lines or fold lines 29 ateach end of the body are a set of closure flaps generally indi-- ,catedat 30 and 30a. As better seen in Fig. 12 lthe side ap 3I is formed witha tongue 3Ia which is adapted to engage within a slot or cut 32 of sideflap 33. 'I'he slot or cut 32 has adjoining angular cuts 32a which arein turn adjoined by a score or fold line 32h; thus a weakened portionwhich is readily bendable is formed. Due to the direction of travel asindicated by the arrows in Fig. 12, I shall refer to the flap 34 as theleading or front end flap and the flap 35 shall be referred to as thetrailing or rear end iiap, the designation ofthese flaps being anarbitrary matter depending on the direction of travel.

As previously described the conveyor is driven intermittently or insteps, the distance of travel during movement being equal to the center'to center distance of consecutive conveyor plates. Thus a series ofstops-or stations are established which are advantageous in performingcertain operations. As shown in the drawings the conveyor is in theposition it assumes during a period of rest.

Before filling the cartons must be set up with the ultimate bottom sealof the liner completed. The extending portion of the sealed liner mustbe folded within the box and the adjacent side flaps turned in andinterlocked. `The mechanisms for accomplishing these results areincorporated in my machine, the required operations occurring While thecarton travels between the stations indivated in the drawings at A andE.

After the carton has thus been erected or set up, it isready to receivethe contents, which contents may be inserted therein by any means orapparatus best suited to handle that particular type of contents ormaterial in consideration. In 1- the machine illustrated I have shown at36 a conventional filling head, and as seen in Fig. 2, the

"'*lling of the carton may occur at station F, or

One of the W principal advantages of my invention, however,

if a slower rate of lling is required, part of the `contents may beinserted at station F and the balance at station G; or the filling maybe a continuous operation commencing at station F and continuing whilethe carton travels to and rests at station G.

After lling it will be required to seal the open mouth of the liner,fold same within the box and close and interlock the end flaps. Theseoperations are identical with those required for setting up the cartonas previously described, and take place while the carton travels betweenstations G and K. The sealing and closing mechanisms here employed arean exact duplication of the mechanisms interposed between stations A andE.

In the operation of the machine the operator i picks up the fiat cartonas seen in Fig. 16, squares it manually to the open position seen inFig. 17, and places it between the upstanding members 26 as seen at A inFig. 1. Referring to Fig. 5, the leading or front end ap 34 is bentdownward along its line of articulation against the angular member 38until it engages and isV held under the latch 31. 'Ihe trailing or rearend flap 35 is bent downwardly along its line of articulation againstthe angular member 39. This bending of the flaps 34 and 35 against themembers 38 and 39 provides proper vertical placement of the carton forcooperation with the sealing and closing mechanisms. As shown the ap 35after being bent downward will tend to return to its original position,likewise the flap 34 will spring upward tending to return to ts'originalposition when the latch 31 is released. 'I'he latch 31 is released whenthe sidewise extending portion 31a is depressed by striking thestationary cam bar 31h. To provide for various size cartons the members38 and 39 have adjustment carton is to be temporarily ejected from themachine. It will be observed that the members 26 mounted on eachconveyor plate, cooperating with the guide rails 42 and 43, effect a.series of traveling cages, to guide the cartons in required alignmentthrough the machine. It is also to be noted that the arrangement shownis capable of ready adjustment to convey other size cartons.

As the carton travels onward the flaps 3|, 35 and 33 are engaged andturned downward by curved bars 44 and 45, which bars have straightextended portions 46 serving to retain the said flaps in the downwardposition as required during sealing of the inner liner.

The movement of the conveyor pauses when the carton reaches the positionor station indicated at B, and it is here that sealing of the innerliner takes place. The sealing mechanism here employed is similar tothat described and claimed in my patents tpreviously referred to.Referring' to Figs. 7 and 8, a pair of ngers 41 and 48 are slidablymounted on studs 41a and 48a. The fingers have curved slots 41h and 48hand are perforated at their upper end to'receive an operating bar 49.The bar 49 is pivoted at 49a in an upstanding bracket and has anextended portion 49h with cam roller 49e engaged by the cam 49d on shaft22. The member 49 is urged to the position shown by the spring 49e. Whenthe member 49 descends due to action of the cam 49d, the fingers 41 and48 riding over the studs will descend and be expanded within the openmouth of the carton liner as seen in broken lines. The liner is thusspread and partially flattened as seen in Fig. 9, where the spreaderfingers have been omitted from the y drawing and the heat sealingelements are shown in open position. 'I'he sealing elements 5|) and areof the electrical heated4 type being mounted on arms 52 and 53 affixedto the shafts 54 and 55,

which shafts are in turn journaled in brackets 56 and have xed at theiroute'r ends gears 51 and 58. The gear 58 has a stud 58a connected with acam follower 59 by a link 59a. The assembly is urged to the positionshown by the tension spring 60. As can be readily determined byinspection of the drawings, the action of the cam 6| (fixed on the shaft22) will cause the heating elements to be carried to the closed positionseen in Fig. 10. The element 5|) is provided with a tongue or bead 50a,and the opposite element 5| is provided with a groove 5|a. As the tongueand groove elements contact the liner, so that the tongue enters atleast partially into the groove causing the liner material to becomecurved, heat being present causes the opposite inner faces of the linermouth to become fused. Attached beneath the heating elements are a pairof sweepers 50h and 5|b. The object of these sweepers is to evacuate theair out of the open mouth of the bag and partially from the interior orbelow the upper edge of the carton. These sweepers are so mounted thatthey precede the contact of the heating elements so that the air isexpelled before the heat seal is made. Referring to Fig. 11, theappearance of the flattened and sealed liner mouth (after the spreaderfingers and sealing elements have receded) is shown atX.

After the sealing operation as just described, the conveyor again startsto move and the upstanding sealed liner X is engaged between a pair ofcurved guides 62 and 63 (best seen in Fig. 1l) which as the carton movesalong serve to turn down the sealed end of the liner. The extendedportion 63a of guide 63 retains the liner in downward position while thefront end flap 34 is bent inward and down by action of a bar E4 (seeFigs. 1 and 12), the ilap 34 having just previously been released fromthe latch 31 by action of the cam bar 31h. In turning cr folding overthe flap 3( the overlying portion of the liner will be carried therewithand folded inwardly beneath the ap. The hold-down bars 46 terminate justprevious to this `point and release the fiaps 3|, 33 and 35 allowingthem to spring upward. The conveyor then comes to rest at station C.

Just as the carton is about to leave station C the trailing or rear endflap 35 and the overlying portion of the liner mouth are turned inwardand down by the rotating element 65 (Figs. 1 and 2), further movement ofthe carton causes the ap to be engaged under the bar 64 which retains itin downward position while the remaining flaps 3| and 33 are folded andinterlocked as will presently be explained. The rotating element 65 ismounted on shaft 66 journaled in bearing bracket 61, and is driven intimed relation with the conveyor by a pair of spiral gears 68, thedriver of which is fixed on shaft 22.

Referring to Fig. 12 the carton at C is shown just as the folding andinterlocking of flaps 3|' and 33 is about to commence. As the cartonmoves forward a curved bar 69 engages the ultimate upper side" of theslotted ap 33. The hold down bar 64 is bent sidewise as at 64a so as tobring its outer edge into alignment with the line of articulation offlap 33 and has an extending enlarged cross sectional portion 64b. Thecurvature of bar B9 is such that the flap 33 will be turned inward anddown against the carton body with the enlarged portion 64b of bar 64underlying the fiap. This action tends to open the slot 32 and theposition of the flap at this point is seen at D. It is to be noted thatthe extended underside 69a of the bar 69 retains" or holds down the flap33 in its folded' position and that an enlarged portion or hump 69h ofthe bar 69 coextensive with the underside 69a underlies the tongued flap31, which flap is turned over by a curved bar 10. Referring to thecarton at C the curved bar 'l0 engages the ultimate upper side of ap 3|and in turning the flap about the enlarged portion 69h the effectivelength of the tongue is reduced, thatis, the distance of a straight lineor chord between the line of articulation 3|b and the edge of the tongue3|c is shortened, due to the fact that the flap 3| is in curvedformation. The enlarged portion 69h gradually tapers off to the point oftermination l 69e, so that as the carton progresses the effective lengthof the tongue is increased. As seen on the carton at D the edge of thetongue 3|c is in a position favorable for entry into the slot 32. Theextended portion a of the bar 1|) is arranged to press downward on theflap so that as the carton moves forward and the effective length of thetongue 3|a is increased it will enter the slot 32' due to pressure ofthe overhead guide 10a. As the carton passes the terminal points 64C and690 of the enlarged members the portion 10b ofthe bar 19 will urge thetongued flap into completely interlocked position. The flaps are then intheir normal plane and the ultimate bottom of the container completelyformed. After passing the terminus 19h of the overhead guide the cartonwill have arrived at station E. From the foregoing it will be observedthat the bar 10 serves as an overhead guide for the tongued side flap;the bar 69 serves the dual purpose of an overhead guide for the slottedflap and an underneath guide for the tongued flap; and the bar 64functions as an underneath guide for the slotted flap while retainingthe end flaps 34 and 35 in their folded position.

At station E the carton is immediately ejected from the machine by anejector arm 1|, which arm after ejecting the carton immediately recedesto permit re-insertion of the carton in its upright position forfilling. The ejector arm 1| is fixed on the shaft 1 |a journaled inbearing brackets 12 and 12a. Fixed to shaft 1|a the lever arm 1|bhaspivoted thereto a link`13, which link is actuated by a cam 14 on theshaft 22. After operation of the device, as indicated by the brokenlines in Fig. 13, the mechanism is returned to its inoperative positionby tension of the spring 15.

In replacing the carton, in its upright position, at station E, theoperator will follow the same procedure as outlined in the descriptionpreviously given in reference to station A, that 1s, the leading endflap 34 will be engaged under the latch 31 and the carton will belocated vertically by bending of the fiaps 34 and 35 against the gaugemembers 38 and 39. The carton also abuts an inner guide rail 42a. It isto be noted that the iiaps articulated to this upper end of the cartonand the arrangement of the extending inner liner therewith, is merely aduplication of those members as already described in regard to formingthe bottom of the container, and have been given like refe-rencenumerals in the drawings.

As the conveyor carries the carton away from station E, a side guide bar43a serves to hold the carton in proper alignment, and curved bars 80and 8| turn down and outward the flaps 3|, 33 and 35. The bar 43 extendsabout the machine to a point where the cartons will be finally ejectedat station K. Also as the carton leaves station E it rides onto anunderneath bar 19 which will support the carton and the weight of thecontents therein for proper cooperation with the final sealing andclosing mechanism encountered after filling. The bar 19 is provided withvertical adjustment to accommodate other size cartons and extends aboutthe machine to the station K Where as before mentioned, the cartons arefinally ejected from the machine. YThe bar 19 is permitted to enterbeneath the cartons by the cut away portions 26e of the upright members26 best seen in Fig. 4.

Fixed to rotate with shaft 8 the filling head 36 has a plurality ofrotating spouts 36a timed to travel with the cartons in their movementbetween stations E and G. The filling head has a stationary member 36Din which the required valves or ports for controlling flow of materialthrough the spouts and into the containers may be incorporated. Themember 36h is restrained from rotation by the stud 36d which abuts thefixed upright bar 36e and a supply line is indicated at 36e. It will beunderstood that the filling mechanism here shown is of exemplaryconstruction and I am not to be limited to the particular arrangement ortype of filling mechanism here shown.

As previously described and explained, a carton passing beneath thefillinghead and arriving at station G will have the contents therein andwill be ready for the final sealing and closing operations. Furthermovement of the conveyor carries the carton to station H where the openmouth of the inner liner is spread and sealed by mechanism similar tothat described at station B. The spreader fingers at station H areactuated by a cam 8| fixed on the shaft 22, and the sealing members areactuated by a cam 83 also fixed on the shaft 22. At station I theleading or front end nap 34 is turned down against the carton body bythe bar 64m, and the trailing end ap 35 is turned down by the rotatingelement 65.1: driven from the shaft 22 through a spiral gearing 84.Interposed between' stations I and K are folding and interlocking bars64x. 69x and 10x, which lfunction to close and interlock the remainingside flaps. At station K the ejector arm 1|x expels the completelyfilled and sealed container from the machine. The-ejector 1li: isactuated by a cam 85 on the shaft 22.

No particular function or operation will occur at the stations marked Dand J, as the interlocking of the side flaps will preferably require agreater distance of travel than is afforded between consecutive stationsin the arrangement shown.

In conjunction with the interlocking of the side fiaps and to completethe folding thereof I may employ an extra pair of guides or pressuremembers (10c), longitudinally disposed, to act upon the two oppositeedges of the carton by pressing along the longitudinal edges of thefolds, thus assuring more dependable `interlocking, as well as providinga 'more dependable attened condition for the cartons to stand in uprightposition for filling or other purposes.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a simple but effective means to provideadjustable supports for the various guide rails. Here the bracket 95 isfixed to the machine frame and has a vertical extending rod 96 on whicha block 91 is held by set screw 98. The block is bored as at 99 toreceive a rod |00, said rod being clamped Within the block by set screw|0I. The inner end of the rod |00 is fixed to the guide member in anyconvenient manner as at |02. With this arrangement any desired positionof the guide members may be obtained.

In some cases it will be desired to eliminate the filling head 36 andreceive the cartons ejected at station E upon a conveyor as shown at 16in Fig. 14. Here the cartons ejected onto conveyor 16 are transferred toa secondary conveyor 16a upon which conveyor they may be filled by thelmachine 11. For hand packing of the cartons the machine 11 will bereplaced by a packing table. After filling, the cartons are transferredto another conveyor 1Gb, which carries them to a convenient positionnear the station G where the lled carton is again loaded onto themachine for sealing of the open liner mouth and interlocking of the endiiaps by mechanism interposed between stations G and K. At K the filledand sealed carton is again ejected from the machine and may be receivedupon a conveyor 18 for final disposition as required.

In Fig. 15 I have illustrated an alternate interlocking device. As shownthis consists of a timed overhead cam 93, which is synchronized with thecourse of travel of the container, and as the container passes beneaththis cam with the iiaps and 9| previously folded to the normalinterlocking plane, the cam becomes operative and the nose bears downupon the folded aps over the slotted and tongued portion, serving todepress this portion. The effect of this depression is to lower thetongued and slotted flaps beneath the normal interlocking plane, therebybringing the edge of the tongue 9|b into position adjoining the slot90a, so` that when in the further course of motion of the container thecam continues to revolve and thereby the pressure on4 the aps isreleased, and the iiaps will resume their normal plane, in interlockedposition. With this arrangement the iiaps may be interlocked While thecarton is stationary, if desired.

It can be seen that this alternate interlocking fered device since inorder to foreshorten the device as described is less desirable thanmy'pretongued flap or the slotted ap, or both, it bends said nap orfiaps from their normalinterlocking plane, this foreshortening servingthe purpose of bringing the edge of the tongue into operative positionadjacent the slot so that when the flaps are released back into theirnormal position or plane, they are in interlocked engagement. In thecase of my preferred method as described, the foreshortening isaccomplished as explained by curving or arching the iiap or flaps, whichserves to shorten the transverse distance between the fold line of theflap and the edge of the tongue or slot, while in my alternate method asdescribed above the flaps are depressed belovi7 their normal plane, alsoeifecting a shortening of the transverse distance between the fold lineof the flaps and the edge of the tongue or slot. 'I'his latter methodwill be interfered with by the contents of a package after filling andwill push down on the liner when empty.

' It is obvious that the location and nature of the slot, also of thetongue may be varied if desired without departing from the spirit ofthis invention, and if desired, due to the size or shape of the flaps, aplurality of tongues and slots may be utilized, and are adaptable to mysame interlocking process.

It is obvious that variations may be made in the shape and location ofthe guides if desired. For example, if a complete cut-away slot isutilized, it may not be necessary to have an underneath slotted sideflap guide, since the operation may be performed successfully throughthe use of the overhead slotted side flap guide, and the underneathtongued side iiap guide and overhead tongued side flap guide. While Iprefer to have these guides stationary and move the carton through them,it would also be possible to have thev carton at rest or moving in anopposite direction, and use movable guides, and all such variations arecontemplated within the scope of my invention, so long as the basicinterlocking principles as described herein, are utilized.

Due to` the arrangement illustrated and described using cageswithcut-away areas and interposing a stationary guide in the said areas, itcan be seen that I have provided extremely simple and effective means ofproviding a continuous conveyance for packaging of varying overallheights. That is, if a carton with an inner liner having both ends openis used, so that a seal at both ends is necessary, whereby the cartonwhen initially introduced into the, machine has the aps at both endsextending, it is obvious that this height is greater by the length ofthe flaps, than the same carton after one end has been closed, and theflaps folded to their normal interlocking plane. Without this feature,it would be necessary `to either have cages of varying height whichwould reduce the machine's production, or else to make variations in theheight of the locking and sealing members, which would introduce extramechanical difficulties. I may also adapt this same principle to sideadjustments instead of a vertical adjustment, if desired, by usingcutouts in the sides of the cages, and a stationary guide bar, wherebythe carton can be inserted just up to the side guide bar, therebypermitting ready variation in the width of the carton, without the needof complicated adjustments, or changing the cages themselves.

It will be apparent that my process is adaptable to automaticinterlocking of ordinary unlined cartons if desired. My automaticinterlocking principle is also adapted, as described, to

form parts of a continuous operation wherein lined cartons are used, thedevice effecting the heat-sealing and folding of one end of alinerwithin the carton, thereafter interlocking the flaps at said end of thecarton, and, as illustrated, by further employment of the same principlethe device can continue after the container has been filled, to seal theremaining end of the liner, folding it into \position thereafter, andthereafter making the final interlocking closure of remaining end,completing the package. It is obvoius, however, that my invention couldbe separated into two units, if desired, one for accomplishing thesealing and folding of a liner and interlocking the aps at one end ofthe carton, and the other unit to produce the same result on theremaining end of the container, after having been filled. The particulararrangement of the device or the devices in this regard is optional, andall such variations are contemplated within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is: e

1. A device for interlocking a pair ofv opposite carton flaps, one ofwhich includes a projecting tongue and the other of which includes aslotted or weakened portion, which comprises folding means to fold saidflaps toward their normal interlocking plane by overhead guides, andunderneath guides located to engage under said flaps so as to bow thesame and bring theedge of said tongue adjacent to said slotted portion,and pressing means to press on said tongued flap, thereby releasing saidtongue into engaged position with said slotted or weakened portion allof aforesaid guides and means being stationary re1- ative to each other,and means for causing relative movement between the carton and theunderneath guides as the pressing means are ap- 4 plied.

2. In a machine for interlocking a pair of opposite aps articulated to acarton body, one of which flaps has a tongue and the other of which hasa corresponding slot, means for folding and deecting said flaps to bringthe edge of said tongue adjacent to said slot, and means for releasingsaid flaps to their normal interlocking plane in interlocked position,said means being stationary relative to each other.

3. In a machine for closing the flaps articulated to an end of a cartonbody, one opposite pair of which flaps include a tongued ap and theother a corresponding slot, means for conveying said carton in directionof motion parallel to the fold lines of said last mentlonedpair offlaps. means for folding in thev other` pair of opposite flaps, meansfor retaining said iiaps in folded position, and means during furthertravel of carton to bring said tongued flap and slotted flap betweencurved overhead, and underneath guides which deflect said flaps therebyshortening transverse distance between edge of tongue and line ofarticulation to bring the edge of said tongue adjacent to the slot, saidunderneath guides being tapered, whereby upon still further travel ofthe carton, said flaps will assume normal interlocking plane, ininterlocked position, after having passed beyond said guides.

4. In a machine for closing the flaps articulated to an end of a cartonbody, one opposite pair of which flaps include a tongued flap and theother a corresponding slot, means for conveying said carton in directionof motion parallel to the fold lines of said last mentioned pair offlaps, means for folding in the other pair of opposite flaps, means forretaining said flaps in folded position, and means during further travelof carton to bring said tongued ilap and slotted flap between curvedoverhead, and underneath guides which deect said flaps therebyshortening transverse distance between edge of tongue and line ofarticulation to bring the edge of said tongue adjacent to the slot, saidunderneath guides being tapered, whereby upon still further travel ofthe carton, said flaps will assume normal interlocking plane, ininterlocked position, after having passed beyond said guides, and meansto enforce the resumption of said plane of said iiaps.

5. In a machine for interlocking an opposite pair of flaps articulatedto an erect carton, one of which flaps has at least one tab thereon, andthe other of which flap has at least one slot or weakened portion.corresponding thereto, means including guide members, comprising anunderneath guide for slotted ilap, an overhead guide for the tonguedflap, and one common guide successively serving as an overhead guide forsaid slotted flap and underneath guide for said tongued ap, for thepurpose described.

6. In a machine for interlocking an opposite pair of flaps articulatedtoan erect carton one of which flaps has at least one tabthereon, and theother of which flap has at least one slot or weakened portioncorresponding thereto, means including' guide members, comprising anunderneath guide for slotted ap, an overhead guide for the tongued flap,and one common guide successively serving as an overhead guide for saidslotted iiap and underneath guide for said tongued ilap, for the purposedescribed, the last noted guide progressively tapered and ending` beforethe overhead guide for the tongued flap ends, whereby the continuedpressure of said overhead tongued flap guide, serves to press the tongueinto engagement with corresponding flap by causing the tongue to enterthe slot, and means for moving the carton with respect to the guides.

'7. In a machine for interlocking a pair of opposite flaps projectingfrom an erect carton, one of which flaps has a tabthereon, and the otherof which flap has at least one corresponding slotted portion thereon,means to convey said carton in the direction of motion parallel to thefold lines of said flaps, stationary guide members located in the pathof travel of said flaps and having a contour and located so as to causesuccessive arching of said slotted flap to bring said slot into openposition, and arching said tabbed ap to bring the edge of said tabadjacent to said open slot, for the purpose described.

A 8. In a machine for interlocking a pair of opposite `iiaps projectingfrom an erect carton, one of which ilaps has a tab thereon, and theother lof which flap has at least one corresponding slothead guidearranged to press the tongue securely into interlocked relation in saidslot.

9. In a machine for package closure, a series of moving cages, eachadapted to receive and retain an erect carton, with a portion adjoiningthe base of each cage being slotted or cut away, a stationary supportpassing through said slotted or cut-away portion during a desireddistance of travel of said cages, whereby said support provides a baseon which the cartons may rest for said desired distance of travel.

10. In a' machine for package closure, a series of moving cages, eachadapted to receive and retain an erect carton, with a portion adjoiningone side of each cage being slotted or cut away, and an adjustablestationary guide passing through said slotted or cut-away portion,whereby by adjusting the position of said guide, the cages are adaptedto receive cartons of varying thickness, said guide thereby serving asone wall of each cage, providing ready means of altering the dimensionof each cage without the necessity of changing the cages themselves.

11. In a machine wherein erect cartons are introducedinto a cage withthe forward flap folded back, a cage, and a spring-latch on said cage toretain said ap in folded position, and means to subsequently releasesaid latch.

-12. In combination in a packaging machine,

conveying means having means thereon to receive and retain a linedcarton open at both ends, mea'ns to close the liner, means to close thecarton flaps over the liner, and means intercepting the path of theconveying means for providing a raised base in said carton receivingmeans, whereby the closed carton may be inverted, and thereaftersupported with its other open end in position to be acted upon byclosing means for the other end of the carton.

13. In combination in a packaging machine, conveying means having meansthereon to receive and retain a lined carton open at both ends, means toclose the liner, means to close the carton flaps over the liner, andmeans intercepting the path of the conveying means for providing araised base in said carton receiving means, Whereby the closed cartonmay be inverted, and thereafter supported with its other open end inposition to be acted upon by closing means for the other end of thecarton, said carton receiving means having cutaway portions into whichsaid intercepting means project.

14. In a machine for closing an erect carton having projecting linersand open flaps at one end at least, comprising means for closing theliners at said end of the carton while the closing flaps are held out ofthe way, means for folding the liner out of the way of the carton apsand retaining the liner so folded and means thereafter acting upon theclosing flaps for closing them and simultaneously inserting a tongue onone of the top flaps into a slot in the other top flap.

15. In a machine for closing an erect carton having projecting linersand open flaps at one end at least, comprising means for closing theliners at said end of the carton While the closing ilaps are held out ofthe way, and means thereafter acting upon the closing aps for closingthem and/simultaneously inserting a tongue on one of the top flaps intoa slot in the other top flap, means for reversing the carton to bringthe closed end down, filling means for filling the carton after reversalthereof, and means thereafter acting upon the liner and the flaps at thethen upper end of the carton to close them, all of said mechanismsdriven together in synchronism.

16. In a machine for closing an erect carton having projecting linersand open flaps at one end at least, comprising means for closing theliners at said end of the carton While the closing flaps are held out ofthe way, and means thereafter acting upon the closing iiaps for closingthem and simultaneously inserting a tongue on one of the-top iiaps intoa slot in the other top flap, means for-reversing the carton to bringthe closed end down, iilling means for iilling the carton after reversalthereof, and means thereafter acting upon the liner at the then upperend of the carton to close it, followed by means to close the iiaps atthe then upper end of the carton including means for simultaneouslyinserting a tongue on one upper flap into a slot in the other upperflap.

17. In a machine for closing an erect carton having projecting linersand open iiaps at one end at least, comprising means for closing theliners at said end of the carton while the closing flaps are held out ofthe way, means for folding the liner out of the way of the carton ilapsand retaining the liner so folded and means thereafter acting upon theclosing flaps for closing them and simultaneously inserting a tongue onone of the top flaps into a slot in the other top flap, Withoutdisturbing the position of the liner.

18. The mehod of interlocking a pair of opposite carton closure iiapsone of which includes a projecting tongue and the other of whichincludes a slotted or weakened portion to receive the tongue whichconsists in imparting to the flaps simultaneously each an upward bendfrom its juncture line with the carton and a downward bend toward themiddle of the carton while the carton is moving, thus bringing the edgeof the tongue to the slotted portion and while the flaps are heldtogether, releasing the bends, thus caus ing the tongue to enter theslot.

ROBERT MORRIS BERGSTEIN.

